X-Terra race report

One of our local CO athletes sent me a quick race report on an X-Terra race he did last weekend. while he in not an X-Terra athlete he still did quite well. i thought this was well worth the post.
enjoy!


"The race was held at Eldora, at ~9200'.  Water temperature was 61 or 62 F, wetsuits were required, not optional. I wore a neoprene swim cap i bought in case the water was cold at st George. It felt fine and didn't bother me at all. I guess the work in the pool is paying off. I averaged 1:38 per 100 yd, which is the fastest swim pace I've done (and at 9200' elevation!). I'd say this swim leg was the highlight of the day. 

The bike was fine. I put too much air in my tires, thinking the race would be on nordic trails and fire roads as per the race description. It was, but there were also some loose, rocky and steep sections, just like any front range ride. Maybe I went a little faster on the flats on wide fire roads, but felt less stable on the loose downhills and rocky uphill sections, lesson learned. I couldn't imagine how tought it would be to stay in control on some of those trails while on skinny nordic skis. A few guys bombed by me on the downhills, but really didn't gain much time. I think i passed them all on the run in the first mile or so. Mountain bike riding is very anaerobic. Avg HR on the bike ride 160.

The run was just confusing.  Very winding, tight and rocky, with some very steep hills. Not very many chances to actually get in a good rhythm. 

All in all, it was a good time, a good change of pace from the normal routine. I might be tempted to do more of these races in the future. . . race wheels for the mtb...or maybe a carbon hardtail to drop weight."